(ANS - Rome) - The style of welcoming and helping that the Salesians adopt in every circumstance is a concrete expression of their faith and charism. For every refugee welcomed, in every convoy of aid sent out, in every fundraising or solidarity initiative carried out, the Sons of Don Bosco have at heart only to be close, like new Samaritans, to those wounded by life. This is why, while they are working with all their energies in the current emergency that has struck the Ukrainian nation - a truly unprecedented emergency, with about 4 million refugees in five weeks of war - they remain active on all other humanitarian fronts where they can make their contribution.
(ANS – Rome) – SYM LEADS in the provinces of SDB are gathering for the first international formative meeting on 2nd April 2022 from 12.00 – 13.30 of Rome time. It is organized by the SYM-LEADS of East Asia Oceania. From each province, 3 young people are invited to participate. It will be on ZOOM platform. It is part of initiative of SDB SYM World Council. There will be simultaneous translations in French, Spanish and Portuguese.
(ANS - Rome) - At the beginning of Lent, a parish community asked if there was a Stations of the Cross with reflections taken from the texts of Saint Francis de Sales. Thanks to the collaboration of Fr Paolo Mojoli, from Cremisan, for the texts, and of Prof. Elena Cristino, for the graphics, both a Stations of the Cross and a Way of Light were created, with the biblical passages that mark the respective 14 stations and with ideas taken from the writings of Francesco de Sales. They are not direct comments on the Gospel episodes but are short extracts from his writings, designed to accompany the reflection and prayer of the journey of the cross and of the Easter icons that are contemplated in the Via Lucis.
(ANS - Rome) - Among the millions of refugees fleeing Ukraine, there are mostly women with children or vulnerable elderly people. For Salesians, this situation constitutes almost a charismatic obligation to action, having been born to serve the little ones, and especially those in greatest need.
(ANS - Rome) - The war in Ukraine is affecting everyone, regardless of age: it concerns children like Nikolaj, 9 years old, who fled from Makariv with his mother and went to Vienna, as well as elderly people like Fr Ignacy Ryndzionek, a Salesian living in Krakow, who is 89 years old. Everyone is united by the pain of this senseless tragedy; everyone can get involved in the international solidarity movement that is surrounding these events.
(ANS - Rome) - During his animation visit to the Delegates of Social Communication of Poland on March 15 in Warsaw, Fr. Gildasio Mendes, General Councilor for Social Communication, gave an interview to the editorial staff of a Catholic TV show on Polish television, during which he spoke about the role of the Salesians and the Salesian media in the ongoing war in Ukraine and commented on the Rector Major’s letter on the situation in that country, to promote communication based on solidarity at the service of peace.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG - Preparation, objectives, challenges and perspectives of GC29: in dialogue with the Moderator, Fr Alphonse Owoudou(ANS - RMG) - Just a few days before the beginning of the 29th General Chapter (GC29) of the Salesian Congregation, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region and Moderator of GC29, recounts in detail, through an articulate interview, the work preceding and underlying this responsibility, indicating the spirit that will animate it and the attitudes and conditions to make it truly a Cenacle in which the Holy Spirit can act, for the benefit of the Congregation, the Salesian mission and the youth of the world.
EDITORIAL
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RMG – Don Bosco: “The Fascinating Saint”(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco is perhaps the most amazing and fascinating saint, history has ever produced. The humble work which he began for the welfare of his poor and abandoned boys in Italy has produced astonishing results, and today there are nearly 14000 Salesians working in 138 countries, and there are more than 200,000 members belonging to the 32 groups of the worldwide Salesian Family sharing the charism of Don Bosco and reaching out to the needy young people.
EVENTS
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India – INS youth solemnise Don Bosco’s Feast Day with ‘Ka Sur Kynud S-3’ Grand Finale(ANS – Shillong) – The Youth of St John Paul II, Shillong Province, celebrated the Feast Day of St. John Bosco with the Grand Finale of “Ka Sur Kynud, Season 3.” Organised by Don Bosco Media Network Television, the Social Communication Department of the Province, at Don Bosco Youth Centre, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, this two-month-long singing competition, which imitates the global singing competition The Voice, concluded on 31 January 2025, coinciding with the Solemnity of St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Salesian Missions highlights medical programs for people in need around the globe(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of the Sick. Every year on Feb. 11, the Pope marks the day with a special message calling for spiritual and physical closeness to all those who are ill. Saint John Paul II instituted the day “to encourage the people of God, Catholic health institutions and civil society to be increasingly attentive to the sick and to those who care for them.”
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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GOOD, FAITHFUL, AND COURAGEOUS SERVANTSTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
During this Jubilee year, in this difficult world, we are invited to rise up, set out again, and, in newness of life, make our journey as human beings and believers.